How can someone be strong in grace? Grace
means undeserved favor. Just as we are saved by grace (Ephesians 2:8, 9), we
should live by grace (Colossians 2:6). This means trusting completely in Christ
and his power, and not trying to live for Christ in our strength alone.
Receive and utilize Christ's power. He will give you the strength to do his
work.
If the church were to consistently follow this advice, it would expand
geometrically as well-taught believers would teach others and commission them,
in turn, to teach still others. Disciples need to be equipped to pass on their
faith; our work is not done until new believers are able to make disciples of
others (see Ephesians 4:12, 13).

2) How does Paul say to endure hardship with
them, what does no one serving as a soldier get involved in, who does the
soldier want to please, if anyone competes as an athlete, what does he not
receive unless he completes according to the rules, who should be the first to
receive a share of the crops, and why did Paul tell Timothy to reflect on what
he is saying?

As Timothy preached and taught, he would face
suffering, but he should be able to endure. Paul used a comparison with
soldiers, athletes, and farmers who must discipline themselves and be willing to
sacrifice to achieve the results they want. Like soldiers, we have to give up
worldly security and endure rigorous discipline. Like athletes, we must train
hard and follow the rules. Like farmers, we must work extremely hard and be
patient. But we keep going despite suffering because of the thought of victory,
the vision of winning, and the hope of harvest. We will see that our suffering
is worthwhile when we achieve our goal of glorifying God, winning people to
Christ, and one day living eternally with him.
Paul told Timothy to reflect on his words, and God would give him insight.
God speaks through the Bible, his Word, but we need to be open and receptive to
him. As you read the Bible, ask God to show you his timeless truths and the
application to your life. Then consider what you have read by thinking it
through and meditating on it. God will give you understanding.

3) From where did Jesus rise, and from whom is
Jesus Christ a descendent?

False teachers were a problem in Ephesus (see
Acts 20:29, 30; 1Timothy 1:3-11). At the heart of false teaching is an incorrect
view of Christ. In Timothy's day many asserted that Christ was divine but not
human-God but not man. These days we often hear that Jesus was human but not
divine-man but not God. Either view destroys the good news that Jesus Christ has
taken our sins on himself and has reconciled us to God. In this same verse, Paul
firmly states that Jesus is fully man ("descended from David") and fully God
("raised from the dead"). This is an important doctrine for all Christians.

Paul was in chains in prison because of the
gospel he preached. The truth about Jesus is no more popular in our day than in
Paul's, but it still reaches receptive hearts. When Paul said that Jesus was
God, he angered the Jews who had condemned Jesus for blasphemy; but many Jews
became followers of Christ (1Corinthians 1:24). He angered the Romans who
worshiped the emperor as god; but even some in Caesar's household turned to
Jesus (Philippians 4:22). When Paul said Jesus was human, he angered the Greeks
who thought divinity was soiled if it had any contact with humanity; still many
Greeks accepted the faith (Acts 11:20, 21). The truth that Jesus is one person
with two united natures has never been easy to understand, but it is being
believed by people everyday. Despite the opposition, continue to proclaim
Christ. Some will listen and believe.

When Paul says "obtain the salvation," is he
contradicting grace? Salvation is not something that can be earned, as Paul
taught in Ephesians 2:8, 9. Paul is referring to being faithful to the end, not
to a way to earn salvation.

6) If we died with Christ, what will we also
do,if we endured with him, what will we also do, if we disown Christ,
what will he do, and if we are faithless in Christ, why will he remain faithful?

This is probably an early Christian hymn. God
is faithful to his children, and although we may suffer great hardships here,
God promises that someday we will live eternally with him. What will this
involve? It means believers will live in Christ's kingdom, and that we will
share in the administration of that kingdom. This truth comforted Paul as he
went through suffering and death. Are you facing hardships? Don't turn away from
God-he promises you a wonderful future with him.
Jesus is faithful. He will stay by our side even when we have endured so much
that we seem to have no faith left. We may be faithless at times, but Jesus is
faithful to his promise to be with us "to the very end of the age" (Matthew
28:20). Refusing Christ's help will break our communication with God, but he
will never turn his back on us even though we may turn our backs on him.

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A Workman Approved by God

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7) Why did Paul tell Timothy to warn the
church before God against quarreling about words?

Paul urged Timothy to remind the believers not
to argue over unimportant details ("quarreling about words") or have foolish
discussions ("godless chatter") because such arguments are confusing, useless,
and even harmful. False teachers love to cause strife and divisions by their
meaningless quibbling over unimportant details (see 1Timothy 6:3-5). To handle
the word of truth correctly, we must study what the Word of God says so we can
understand what it means.

8) In what way did Paul tell Timothy to
present himself to God, and what kind of workman did Paul tell Timothy to be?

Because God will examine what kind of workman
we have been for him, we should build our lives on his Word and build his Word
into our lives-it alone tells us how to live for him and serve him. Believers
who ignore the Bible will certainly be ashamed at the judgment. Consistent and
diligent study of God's Word is vital; otherwise we will be lulled into
neglecting God and our true purpose for living.

In important areas of Christian teaching, we
must carefully work through our disagreements. But when we bicker long hours
over words and theories that are not central to the Christian faith and life, we
only provoke anger and hurt feelings. Even if "godless chatter" reaches a
resolution, it gains little ground for the kingdom. Learning and discussing are
not bad unless they keep believers constantly focusing on false doctrine or
unhelpful trivialities. Don't let anything keep you from your work for and
service to God.

10) How does the teachings of the ungodly
spread, who did Paul say has wandered away from the truth, what does these two
men say has already taken place, and what have they done to some?

Hymenaeus was also mentioned in 1Timothy 1:20.
Paul had handed Hymenaeus over to Satan because his false teaching concerning
the resurrection was destroying some people's faith.
The false teacherswere denying the resurrection of the body. They
believed that when a person became a Christian, he or she was spiritually
reborn, and that was the only resurrection there would ever be. To them,
resurrection was symbolic and spiritual, not physical. Paul clearly taught,
however, that believers will be resurrected after they die, and that their
bodies as well as their souls will live eternally with Christ (1Corinthians
15:35ff; 2Corinthians 5:1-10; 1Thessalonians 4:15-18). We cannot shape the
doctrines of Scripture to match our opinions. If we do, we are putting ourselves
above God. Instead, our beliefs should be consistent with God's Word.

11) Nevertheless, what did Paul say stands
firm, and what inscription is God's foundation sealed with?

False teachers still spout lies. Some distort
the truth, some dilute it, and some simply delete it by saying that God's truth
no longer applies. But no matter how many people follow the liars, the solid
foundation of God's truth never changes, is never shaken, and will never fade.
When we follow God's truth, he will never forsake us.

12) What are some of the articles in a large
house, some of gold and silver but also some of wood and clay, used for, and if
a man cleanses himself from the latter, what will he be?

Running away is sometimes considered cowardly.
But wise people realize that removing themselves physically from temptation
often can be the most courageous action to take. Timothy, a young man, was
warned to flee anything that produced evil thoughts. Do you have a recurring
temptation that is difficult to resist? Remove yourself physically from any
situation that stimulates your desire to sin. Knowing when to run is as
important in spiritual battle as knowing when and how to fight. (see also
1Timothy 6:11.)

14) Why did Paul say not to have anything to
do with foolish and stupid arguments, what did Paul say the Lord's servant must
not do, how should the Lord's servant be, why should the Lord's servant gently
instruct those who oppose him, why does Paul say he hopes those who oppose him
will come to their senses, and why has the devil taken them captive?

As a teacher, Timothy helped those who were
confused about the truth. Paul's advice to Timothy, and to all who teach God's
truth, is to be kind and gentle, patiently and courteously explaining the truth.
Good teaching never promotes quarrels or foolish arguments. Whether you are
teaching church school, leading a Bible study, or preaching in church, remember
to listen to people's questions and treat them respectfully, while avoiding
foolish debates. If you do this, those who oppose you will be more willing to
hear what you have to say and perhaps turn from their error.

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Answers 2Timothy Chapter Two

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1) in the grace that is in Christ Jesus...the
things Timothy has heard Paul say in the presence of many witnesses...to teach
others
2) like a good soldier of Christ Jesus...civilian affairs...his commanding
officer...the victor's crown...a hardworking farmer...for the Lord will give you
insight into all this
3) the dead...David
4) for the gospel
5) that they too my obtain the salvation that is ours in Christ Jesus, with
eternal glory
6) live with him...reign with him...disown us...for he cannot disown himself
7) it is of no value, and only ruins those who listen
8) as one approved...who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles
the word of truth
9) because those who indulge in it will become more and more ungodly
10) like gangrene...Hymenaeus and Philetus...the resurrection...destroyed their
faith
11) God's solid foundation..."The Lord knows those who are his," and "Everyone
who confesses the name of the Lord must turn away from wickedness."
12) some are for noble purposes and some for ignoble purposes...he will be an
instrument for noble purposes, made holy, useful to the Master and prepared to
do any good work
13) evil desires of youth...righteousness, faith, love and peace...those who
call on the Lord out of a pure heart
14) because you know they produce quarrels...quarrel...he must be kind to
everyone, able to teach, not resentful...in the hope that God will grant them
repentance leading them to knowledge of the truth...to escape from the trap of
the devil...to do his will